Lamentations 3:22 kjv
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:22 nkjv
Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:22 niv
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:22 esv
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
Lamentations 3:22 nlt
The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Lamentations 3 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lam 3:22 | The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end | Lam 3:22 (direct) |
| Lam 3:23 | they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. | Lam 3:23 (continuation) |
| Ps 30:5 | For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. | Ps 30:5 (morning joy) |
| Ps 52:1 | Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures forever. | Ps 52:1 (steadfast love) |
| Ps 107:1 | Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! | Ps 107:1 (steadfast love) |
| Ps 119:88 | Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. | Ps 119:88 (steadfast love comfort) |
| Jer 3:12 | Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: “Return, O faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not keep anger forever. | Jer 3:12 (mercy, not anger forever) |
| Ezek 3:18 | If I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. | Ezek 3:18 (accountability, contrast God's mercy) |
| Joel 2:13 | Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. | Joel 2:13 (gracious, merciful, slow to anger) |
| Zech 7:9 | Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and compassion to one another, | Zech 7:9 (kindness and compassion) |
| Matt 9:36 | When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. | Matt 9:36 (Jesus' compassion) |
| Luke 1:77-78 | to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high | Luke 1:77-78 (tender mercy, sunrise) |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Rom 8:38-39 (love of God unconquerable) |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— | Eph 2:4-5 (rich in mercy, great love) |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, | Titus 3:5 (saved by mercy) |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. | Heb 4:16 (draw near to receive mercy) |
| 1 John 4:8 | Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. | 1 John 4:8 (God is love) |
| 1 John 4:16 | So we know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. | 1 John 4:16 (abide in love) |
| Lam 3:31-33 | For the Lord will not cast off forever, though he causes sorrow, yet he will kindly have compassion according to the abundance of his mercy. For he does not afflict with his whole heart or bring children into trouble. | Lam 3:31-33 (continuation of themes) |
Lamentations 3 verses
Lamentations 3 22 Meaning
The Lord's compassions never fail. His mercies are new every morning, highlighting God's consistent, unfailing love and steadfastness, even amidst suffering and desolation.
Lamentations 3 22 Context
Lamentations is a book of sorrow and mourning, reflecting the devastation and exile of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians. Chapter 3 shifts focus from collective lament to individual experience, where the speaker describes intense suffering, despair, and a sense of abandonment. However, within this profound anguish, the verse introduces a crucial counterpoint, emphasizing God's enduring faithfulness and unending mercies. This comes as the prophet, despite the dire circumstances, remembers and clings to God's character as revealed in the past, finding hope amidst utter despair.
Lamentations 3 22 Word analysis
- כִּי (ki): "Because," "for," "that." Introduces a statement of reason or affirmation. Here it signals a foundational truth about God's nature.
- חַסְדֵי (chasdei): "Kindnesses," "steadfast love," "mercy," "loving-kindness." This is the construct form of חֶסֶד (chesed), a pivotal Hebrew term denoting covenant loyalty, unconditional love, and devoted faithfulness.
- יהוה (YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, transliterated as "Yahweh" or translated as "LORD." Its use here anchors the affirmation to God's unique identity and relationship with His people.
- לֹא (lo): "Not." A straightforward negation.
- יִתְמ֛וּ (yitmû): "Cease," "fail," "come to an end," "perish." From the root תָּמַם (tamam), meaning "to end," "be finished," "complete." Here, it emphasizes the perpetual nature of God's love.
- כִּי (ki): "Because," "for," "that." Repeats for emphasis, linking the immutability of God's love to the following statement about His mercies.
- רַחֲמָיו (rachamav): "His mercies," "his compassion," "his pity." Plural of רַחַם (racham), stemming from a root related to the womb, conveying deep, tender, maternal compassion and sympathy.
- בָּל֥וּ (balû): "Fail," "come to an end," "wear out." From the root בָּלָה (balah), meaning "to decay," "wear out," "consume." When applied to God's mercy, it signifies it never depletes or is exhausted.
- חֲדָשִׁים (chadashim): "New." Plural of חָדָשׁ (chadash), from the root חָדַשׁ (chadash), meaning "to be new," "renew," "repair."
- מִדֵּי (midei): "Every," "each." A distributive particle, indicating a regular and repeated occurrence.
- בֹּקֶר (boqer): "Morning." Referring to the dawn, the start of a new day.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "כִּי חַסְדֵי יְהוָה לֹא יִתְמ֛וּ": "Because the Lord's steadfast love never fails." This is a declaration of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. The term chesed is paramount in understanding the nature of this love—it is active, relational, and unconditional, enduring even when human faithfulness fails.
- "כִּי רַחֲמָיו בָּל֥וּ חֲדָשִׁים מִדֵּי בֹּקֶר": "Because His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning." This phrase connects God's comprehensive rachamim (compassions, mercies) to a daily renewal. Balû implies they don't wear out or become depleted, while chadashim midei boqer paints a picture of constant refreshment and new beginnings, like the sunrise itself. It counters the perception of God's absence or disfavor with an assurance of His perpetual, daily outreach of compassion.
Lamentations 3 22 Bonus section
The prophet's remembrance of God's enduring nature serves as a theological framework for understanding suffering. It posits that suffering does not signify God's absence or His failure, but rather can coexist with His constant mercies. This perspective is crucial for a holistic understanding of faith, particularly in difficult times. The repetitive structure of "Because... Because..." emphasizes the foundational, unquestionable certainty of these truths about God. This verse is often cited as a foundational text for understanding God's attribute of steadfast love and mercy in biblical theology.
Lamentations 3 22 Commentary
Amidst the desolation and personal suffering described in Lamentations, the prophet clings to a core truth: God's steadfast love (chesed) is eternal and His compassions (rachamim) are constantly renewed. This isn't just an abstract theological statement; it's an anchor of hope in the storm. It means that despite present hardships, God's fundamental character of loving-kindness towards His covenant people remains invariant and unfailing. The "new every morning" imagery signifies God's unfailing provisions and opportunities for repentance and renewed relationship. It echoes the new covenant promises found in the New Testament, where God's grace is a daily reality available through Christ.